As April draws to a close and optimism grows about an increase in temperatures over the summer, many still rely on radiators due to the unpredictable nature of Irish weather.
Ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend, for example, Met Eireann has forecast a potential 14C swing in temperatures and many households will be turning to the heating at stages.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect families, an energy expert has issued advice about a common radiator habit that could be costing you money on your bills.
READ MORE - Heather Humphreys to update Cabinet on €200 social welfare lump sum dates
Often, people will turn heating off in rooms that aren't used with the logic that it will cut back on bills but, apparently, that's not always the best way to save money.
"Turning off your heating in unused rooms by turning the radiator’s thermostatic radiator valve to zero or off can save you energy, but it could also cost you more money because ultimately they’re always directly related," Ben Price of Heatable told The Express.
Mr Price explained that the impact depends on how old your boiler is because older boilers, those sold before 2005, will likely result in lower bills when the heating is turned off in unfrequented rooms but that may not be the best way to optimise energy costs with newer boilers.
Households with more modern condensing boilers should be aware that they operate more efficiently at lower flow temperatures, which should be between 45C and 60C, depending on the insulation in the house. People can adjust their boiler's flow temperature to the desired figure or else use a smart modulating thermostat, which sets the flow temperature automatically.
Modern condensing boilers work by sending heat out the flue pipe and back into the central heating system rather than wasting it.
"Essentially that means that the unused radiators or radiators in rooms not being used should be left open or on," Mr Price explained.
"Not doing so will make your boiler have to work harder and burn more energy to reach the desired temperature of the radiators you have left on.
"This all due to the fact that while the radiators are less hot, they are still able to heat your home to the desired temperature.
"So, the thing to remember is if you are not using radiators in unused rooms, you still want to leave them on in order to allow water to continue to flow through them or the other radiators and ultimately your boiler will have to work harder."
READ NEXT:
- Liverpool fan Sean Cox shares major health update on RTÉ Prime Time as he walks with help of exoskeleton
- Graham Dwyer plans another attempt to have murder conviction overturned just weeks after losing appeal
- Comedian David McSavage hits out at 'brat' who threw pint at him during gig
- Taoiseach says number of hospitals offering abortion is 'not good enough'
- Young couple make '10-minute decision' to buy doer-upper house and transform it into dream home
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
